COLIN CLARKE v. MVAIC (2021)

ORDERED that the order is reversed, with $30 costs, and defendant's motion to sever the claim of each assignor into separate actions is granted.

In this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, defendant appeals from an order of the Civil Court entered May 15, 2019 denying defendant's motion pursuant to CPLR 603 to sever the claim of each assignor into separate actions.

The complaint alleges that the claims arose out of six separate accidents which occurred on six different dates. A review of the denial of claim forms, explanations of review and correspondence pertaining to the claims at issue reflects that the facts relating to each claim are likely to raise few, if any, common issues of fact (see Mount Sinai Hosp. v Motor Veh. Acc. Indem. Corp., 291 AD2d 536 [2002]; Radiology Resource Network, P.C. v Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 12 AD3d 185 [2004]). Indeed, under the facts of this case, an extraordinary number of defense witnesses would be required at a single trial of all six claims. As a result, defendant's motion to sever the causes of action should have been granted (see Mount Sinai Hosp. v Motor Veh. Acc. Indem. Corp., 291 AD2d 536; Maria Oca, M.D., P.C. v MVAIC, 35 Misc 3d 134[A], 2012 NY Slip Op 50758[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2012]).

Accordingly, the order is reversed and defendant's motion to sever the claim of each assignor into separate actions is granted.

TOUSSAINT, J.P., WESTON and ELLIOT, JJ., concur.